Tshivenda Home Language
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the home language.
Academic excellence
Our curriculum
CAPS-aligned learning from Grade R through Grade 7 — building literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, and character in every learner.
Our Philosophy
Why our curriculum looks the way it does
Lotsha follows the South African Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) faithfully, but we read it generously. Within every CAPS framework there are decisions to make: how much time to spend on practice versus exploration, when to honour indigenous knowledge, how to weave home language and English literacy together, how to assess. Our educators make those decisions deliberately, collaboratively, and in conversation with the families we serve. The result is a curriculum that prepares learners for the next grade, the next school, and the community they belong to — not just for an exam.
Our commitments
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Deliberate time for exploration alongside structured practice
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Honouring indigenous knowledge and home language literacy
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Collaborative, family-informed assessment decisions
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Education for community and life — not just examinations
Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3)
The Foundation Phase lays the cornerstone of lifelong learning. Through play, discovery, and nurturing guidance, learners build essential literacy, numeracy, and social skills.
English First Additional Language
Building literacy and communication in English as an FAL.
Mathematics
Number sense, counting, shapes, and basic operations through play-based learning.
Life Skills
Beginning Knowledge, Creative Arts, and Physical Education integrated across the week.
Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6)
Learners apply and deepen their skills across a broader curriculum, preparing for the Senior Phase.
Tshivenda Home Language
Reading, comprehension, grammar, and creative writing.
English First Additional Language
Literacy, vocabulary, and structured language work.
Mathematics
Operations, fractions, geometry, measurement, and data handling.
Natural Sciences & Technology
Hands-on investigation of the living world, matter, and basic technology.
Social Sciences
History and Geography exploring our community, country, and world.
Life Skills
Personal & Social Well-being, Creative Arts, and Physical Education.
Senior Phase (Grade 7)
The exit year — a rigorous, subject-differentiated programme that prepares every learner for high school.
Tshivenda Home Language
Advanced reading, poetry analysis, essay writing, and oral presentations in the mother tongue.
English First Additional Language
Extended writing, literary appreciation, critical language analysis, and academic communication.
Mathematics
Algebra, geometry, statistics, probability, and financial mathematics at senior-phase depth.
Natural Sciences
Life and living, matter and materials, energy and change, and the Earth and beyond.
Technology
Structures, systems and control, processing, and graphics through real-world design challenges.
Social Sciences
South African and world history, geographic map-work, and environmental studies.
Economic & Management Sciences
Financial literacy, entrepreneurship, business concepts, and economic awareness.
Creative Arts
Visual arts, drama, music, and dance — leading to a senior portfolio and inter-school exhibitions.
Life Orientation
Personal wellbeing, career planning, physical education, study skills, and social responsibility.
Going further than the syllabus
For learners who are ready to stretch, we offer focused enrichment streams alongside the standard curriculum.
STEM track
From Grade 5: weekend science clubs, district science fair entries, and an introduction to coding via free open-source tools.
Language immersion
Tshivenda heritage classes from Grade 4, English literature circles from Grade 6, and storytelling festivals across the year.
Sports academies
Competitive netball, soccer, athletics, and chess — practice schedules built around the academic timetable, not on top of it.
Arts specialisation
Choir auditions, drama workshops, and a senior visual-arts portfolio programme that goes to inter-schools exhibitions.
Programmes that extend learning
Reading-for-pleasure hour
Every afternoon, all grades — guided by our librarian.
Science Fair
Annual school science fair; selected entries progress to district.
Sport & recreation
Soccer, netball, and athletics — competitive and recreational streams.
Arts & culture
Choir, traditional dance, and drama. See the Gallery for highlights.
Questions about the curriculum? Our academic team is happy to walk you through it.
Contact our academic team